Mauser 98

shortround73 · August 8, 2000, 11:40 PM

I purchased a Century Arms .270. I was told that it was a Mauser 98 that had been rebarreled and mounted on a synthetic stock. Looking to find history on this gun ie. country of origin. Are there any specific markings that could tell me this. Also, are their any gunsmiths that specifically customize Mausers. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you. Let me know if pictures are needed.

Harley Nolden · August 9, 2000, 06:13 AM

Shortround:
Hope this helps:

MAUSER

Model: 98
Designer: Peter & Paul Mauser
Year of Mfg: 1889-1925
Caliber: 7.92mm (8mm) rimmed
Action: Turnbolt
Length:
Barrel Length: 30.67"
Rifle 21.65"

Carbine 15.75"

The M98 was the first highly successful Mauser action designed for a powerful smokeless powder, rimless military cartridge. It was also the first Mauser action designed to load the magazine with a charger, stripper clip,. This action set the general pattern for other Mauser turnbolt rifle actions which followed, with changes and improvements that made Mauser actions a standard throughout the world.

A great many of these rifles were made in the Belgian government arsenal in Liege. Many were also made in Birmingham, England, at a plant set up and operated by Belgian refugees. An American firm, Hopkins & Allen, obtained a contract and made many of these rifles for Belgium prior to WWI.

Mauser action is the basis of design for most every turnbolt rifle in the world today. This includes the military and the civilian model rifles of todays manufacture. During the era most all countries used the Mauser design, to include the United States, who bought patent rights to design the M1903
springfield.

These actions (M1898) are still being manufactured today and there are still some of the old original actions being sold on the civilian market. Many gunsmiths prefer this action, new or old, to build custom rifles in varing calibers to include shotguns.

After WWII restrictions placed on the Germans to, manufacture military rifles. However, they could manufacture sporting rifles and shotguns. This prompted Germany to rebarrel and convert the M1898 Mauser rifle to a two shot shotgun. This shotgun was produced in, 12, 16, and 20 gauge. These shotguns were eventually imported into the US and sold on the open market.
I have personally owned one of these shotguns and found it to make and excellent slug gun.

HJN

shortround73 · August 10, 2000, 07:39 PM

Thanks Harley, That info helps a bit. Are there specific stampings that would tell me the country of origin. Also, do you know of any gunsmiths that specialize in customizing Mauser rifles.

Harley Nolden · August 11, 2000, 09:07 AM

Shortround:
If you can describe the proof marks, and any marks on the gun we can probably ans. that questions. The blue book of gun values normally will have the proof marks. it is a good book to have.

As far as a gunsmith, I have been out of it for a long time and don't really know of anyone now. I am sure someone here will be able to help you.

HJN

shortround73 · August 11, 2000, 07:16 PM

OK Harley im gonna give it my best shot in describing the stampings. Here ya go.

On the underside of the bolt its crudely engraved 1167.

On the bolt release it has a46

On the action it has B 1167 B
Nn

Ok here on the recoil lug 3 o 5 3

and towards the action on the underside the stamps are irradically stamped

E
O
W
y x
V

I hope this didnt confuse you.

shortround73 · August 15, 2000, 07:01 PM

Harley, where can i find the blue book of gun values. I guess my last post confused you.

[This message has been edited by shortround73 (edited August 15, 2000).]

Harley Nolden · August 16, 2000, 07:02 AM

Shortround73
They can be found in SGNews and in some of the book stores

HJN

shortround73 · August 16, 2000, 07:31 PM

Thanks harley. could you describe the difference between the Mauser 98 and FN.

[This message has been edited by shortround73 (edited August 16, 2000).]

August 8, 2000, 11:40 PM	#1
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	I purchased a Century Arms .270. I was told that it was a Mauser 98 that had been rebarreled and mounted on a synthetic stock. Looking to find history on this gun ie. country of origin. Are there any specific markings that could tell me this. Also, are their any gunsmiths that specifically customize Mausers. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you. Let me know if pictures are needed.

August 9, 2000, 06:13 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Shortround: Hope this helps: MAUSER Model: 98 Designer: Peter & Paul Mauser Year of Mfg: 1889-1925 Caliber: 7.92mm (8mm) rimmed Action: Turnbolt Length: Barrel Length: 30.67" Rifle 21.65" Carbine 15.75" The M98 was the first highly successful Mauser action designed for a powerful smokeless powder, rimless military cartridge. It was also the first Mauser action designed to load the magazine with a charger, stripper clip,. This action set the general pattern for other Mauser turnbolt rifle actions which followed, with changes and improvements that made Mauser actions a standard throughout the world. A great many of these rifles were made in the Belgian government arsenal in Liege. Many were also made in Birmingham, England, at a plant set up and operated by Belgian refugees. An American firm, Hopkins & Allen, obtained a contract and made many of these rifles for Belgium prior to WWI. Mauser action is the basis of design for most every turnbolt rifle in the world today. This includes the military and the civilian model rifles of todays manufacture. During the era most all countries used the Mauser design, to include the United States, who bought patent rights to design the M1903 springfield. These actions (M1898) are still being manufactured today and there are still some of the old original actions being sold on the civilian market. Many gunsmiths prefer this action, new or old, to build custom rifles in varing calibers to include shotguns. After WWII restrictions placed on the Germans to, manufacture military rifles. However, they could manufacture sporting rifles and shotguns. This prompted Germany to rebarrel and convert the M1898 Mauser rifle to a two shot shotgun. This shotgun was produced in, 12, 16, and 20 gauge. These shotguns were eventually imported into the US and sold on the open market. I have personally owned one of these shotguns and found it to make and excellent slug gun. HJN

August 10, 2000, 07:39 PM	#3
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	Thanks Harley, That info helps a bit. Are there specific stampings that would tell me the country of origin. Also, do you know of any gunsmiths that specialize in customizing Mauser rifles.

August 11, 2000, 09:07 AM	#4
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Shortround: If you can describe the proof marks, and any marks on the gun we can probably ans. that questions. The blue book of gun values normally will have the proof marks. it is a good book to have. As far as a gunsmith, I have been out of it for a long time and don't really know of anyone now. I am sure someone here will be able to help you. HJN

August 11, 2000, 07:16 PM	#5
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	OK Harley im gonna give it my best shot in describing the stampings. Here ya go. On the underside of the bolt its crudely engraved 1167. On the bolt release it has a46 On the action it has B 1167 B Nn Ok here on the recoil lug 3 o 5 3 and towards the action on the underside the stamps are irradically stamped E O W y x V I hope this didnt confuse you.

August 15, 2000, 07:01 PM	#6
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	Harley, where can i find the blue book of gun values. I guess my last post confused you. [This message has been edited by shortround73 (edited August 15, 2000).]

August 16, 2000, 07:02 AM	#7
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Shortround73 They can be found in SGNews and in some of the book stores HJN

August 16, 2000, 07:31 PM	#8
shortround73 Member Join Date: July 7, 2000 Posts: 37	Thanks harley. could you describe the difference between the Mauser 98 and FN. [This message has been edited by shortround73 (edited August 16, 2000).]